LIVE BLOG: Laois and Offaly clash in Joe McDonagh Cup opener

Follow all the action as Laois and Offaly get their Joe McDonagh campaigns underway in what is a repeat of last year's opening game. 

Last year's game took place in Tullamore with Offaly coming out on the right side of the result by three points with The Faithful County having fired in 3-19 on their way to victory. 

This year sees Laois come into the Joe McDonagh having claimed the Division 2A trophy against Carlow, the same position that Offaly had been before their clash with Laois in 2023. Offaly competed in Division 1 of the league this year, the same as what Laois had done in 2023. It's basically a role reversal since their last championship clash.

Offaly will come into Sunday's game knowing what it takes to beat Laois having done so last year and Laois will want to make sure that they don't ship three goals this year as well as missing guilt-edge opportunities in front of goal like did in Tullamore in 2023. Eoghan Cahill was immense for Offaly in that game racking up a total of 2-11 so Laois will have to keep a close eye on him this time around.

A win on Sunday for either team will give them a good platform to build their Joe McDonagh campaign on while a loss could put them on the back foot with Westmeath also competing for Joe McDonagh cup glory.